book report on call of the wild

The Call of the Wild

62 pages • 2 hours read

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-2

Chapters 3-4

Chapters 5-6

Character Analysis

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Discussion Questions

Summary and Study Guide

Originally serialized in 1903, Jack London’s The Call of the Wild is an adventure story about Buck , a dog from the Santa Clara Valley who finds himself living the life of a sled dog in the Arctic wilderness. Through Buck’s adventure, the novel addresses what it takes to survive in the natural world, contemplates the connection of life and death, and demonstrates the power of respect and love. The Call of the Wild was immediately successful upon its release. It is considered a classic adventure novel and has been adapted for the screen several times.

Plot Summary

Get access to this full Study Guide and much more!

• 7,650+ In-Depth Study Guides
• 4,850+ Quick-Read Plot Summaries
• Downloadable PDFs

The story opens in the Santa Clara Valley in California. Buck, a large dog that is half St. Bernard and half shepherd dog, enjoys a pampered life on Judge Miller’s estate. Unbeknownst to Buck, gold has been discovered in the Arctic. There is an influx of men going to find fortune and an increase in the demand for sled dogs. One night, a farmhand takes Buck for a walk, then sells him to a stranger. Buck is unceremoniously thrown onto a cargo train, caged, and taken to Seattle. Buck’s eyes turn red with rage. Feeling a more violent version of himself awakening, he attacks anyone who comes near him. Buck is put under the care of a man in a red sweater, who uses a club to discipline him. Buck realizes that, in this new environment, men brandishing weapons will establish their mastery over him. Buck also befriends Curly, a kindhearted dog.

Buck and Curly are sold to two Canadian men, Perrault and François, who have been sent by their government to deliver goods and look for gold. Perrault and François are strict but also care for Buck, and Buck accepts them as his masters. Spitz , a fierce and cruel dog, leads their sled team. Without warning, Spitz lashes out at Curly and kills her. Buck never stops hating Spitz after Curly’s death. Buck meets two veteran sled dogs, Dave and Sol-leks, who teach him how to be an effective sled dog. Neither dog wants to fight for leadership, and both find their purpose lies with pulling sleds. Buck becomes an effective member of the sled team, growing stronger and allowing a primal version of himself to awaken. One day, while the dogs chase after a rabbit, Spitz attacks Buck. The two fight to the death. Spitz overpowers Buck at first, but Buck prevails and kills Spitz. After his victory, Buck asserts himself as the new leader of the sled team.

The SuperSummary difference

• 8x more resources than SparkNotes and CliffsNotes combined
• Study Guides you won ' t find anywhere else
• 100+ new titles every month

Buck whips his team into shape, and they become more efficient than ever before, completing their assignment in record time. Perrault and François get a new assignment and sell Buck and his team to a Scotsman. Grateful for Buck’s hard work, François hugs him before departing from Buck’s life forever. Buck continues to be an effective leader under the Scotsman’s care and finds the man is respectful toward the dogs. The weather worsens, and Dave becomes too weak to pull the sled, causing inner torment for the veteran sled dog. Dave becomes too weak to move and is shot, but the rest of the team presses onward. Despite the harsh Arctic environment, the group completes their assignment and arrives in another town, but they’re exhausted and need rest.

The Scotsman sells the team to two men and a woman from the Southland—Hal, Charles, and Mercedes. Inexperienced, Buck’s new masters refuse to let the dogs rest before they leave. At first, they have too much equipment. They begrudgingly lighten their load and buy more dogs, but traveling under their leadership is still difficult. They run out of food early, and the dogs begin to starve. Many dogs become too weak to work and are killed. Buck is on the brink of death, too. The team finds the camp of John Thornton , a veteran of the wild. John warns the team not to traverse the frozen lake nearby. Spring is here, and the ice is thawing, but Hal and Charles have no intention of heeding John’s advice. Buck is too weak to stand, and Hal beats him to get him back up. John threatens Hal to leave Buck alone, and the rest of the team leaves Buck behind. John takes care of Buck as the rest of the team attempts to cross the frozen lake. The ice breaks, and the rest of the team perishes.

Buck finds John to be his most caring and loving master yet, and he comes to love the man more than any human before. Buck regains his strength. He hears the wild calling to him again, beckoning him to abandon civilization, but Buck’s love for John motivates him to stay. While in a town, John wagers Buck can pull a thousand-pound load. The task is a great challenge, but Buck accomplishes the feat because he loves John. They win thousands of dollars, strengthening their bond even more. They set out again, in search of lost mines and cabins, and find a river rich in gold. Buck’s responsibilities lessen, and he spends more time away from camp, constantly hearing the call of the wild. He returns to camp and discovers the indigenous Yeehat tribe has attacked, and John is dead. Buck kills several Yeehats, and they flee. With no more connection to the civilized world, Buck embraces the wilderness. He joins a pack of wolves and becomes a feared legend amongst the Yeehats. Every year, Buck returns to John’s resting place to mourn him.

Don't Miss Out!

Access Study Guide Now

Related Titles

By Jack London

A Piece of Steak

Jack London

Martin Eden

South of the Slot

The Iron Heel

The Law of Life

The Sea-Wolf

To Build a Fire

Featured Collections

Action & Adventure

View Collection

American Literature

Animals in Literature

Challenging Authority

Common Reads: Freshman Year Reading

The Call of the Wild

Jack london, ask litcharts ai: the answer to your questions.

Buck , a proud and strong St. Bernard mix, lives a princely existence on Judge Miller's estate in Santa Clara. Living an insular life, he has no idea that the discovery of gold in the Klondike has created a demand for dogs like him. Manuel , a gardener on the estate desperate for money, kidnaps Buck, selling him to a dog trader . The man throws Buck into a crate on a train headed north.

Four day's later Buck's crate is unloaded from the train. At first chance, he leaps out, attacking a man in a red sweater . The man stuns Buck with his club , beating him into submission, until Buck learns to obey. Buck spends his days watching other dogs suffer the same treatment, until two Canadian couriers, François and Perrault , purchase him, Curly , Dave , and Spitz for their sled dog team. They sail on The Narwhal to Dyea, Alaska, where Buck encounters snow for the first time.

Within hours of making landfall, Buck sees Curly attacked by a husky, then trampled by the rest of the sled dogs. Her death teaches Buck a valuable lesson about the law of club and fang . He learns to always strive for his survival by never letting his guard down. Buck's lessons continue on the trail, where François harnesses him to the traces for the first time. Under the tutelage of Perrault and the dogs Spitz and Dave, Buck transforms into a working sled dog. He learns not only from their experience, but also from the wild instincts awakening within him.

Mastering his ability to scavenge, steal, and fight, Buck's desire to dominate the sled dog team increases, and his rivalry with the lead dog, Spitz, intensifies. Yet conditions on the trail postpone their imminent showdown. A pack of mad huskies attack the camp, Dolly subsequently goes mad from rabies, and the team struggles crossing treacherous stretches of thin ice. Buck also instigates a mutiny among the weaker dogs. One night, while Buck leads the team on a rabbit hunt, Spitz makes his attack. The rivals spar for supremacy of the pack, but Buck manages to break Spitz's leg, claiming victory.

Buck becomes a masterful leader, making record runs across the Klondike. Yet demands for more mail force François and Perrault to hand over Buck and his team to a Scottish courier , who wears them down with heavy mail loads. On the trail, Dave falls ill, compelling the Scotsman to shoot him out of mercy. Exhausted from this journey, the team is handed over to Hal , Charles , and Mercedes , American fortune seekers, who mistreat Buck and his team terribly. They force them to toil under dense loads, starve them, and beat them incessantly.

Barely alive, Buck's team arrives at White River, where the ice is starting to melt. A local camper, John Thornton warns Hal against crossing, but Hal belligerently beats his animals into moving forward. Buck, sensing danger, refuses to rise. Hal, incensed, beats Buck with his club. Thornton tackles Hal and cuts Buck out of the traces, saving him from the brink of death. Hal, humiliated, proceeds towards the riverbank, while Buck and Thornton watch the sled fade into the distance and suddenly drop beneath the ice.

As Buck recuperates under Thornton's care, he develops a deep affection and loyalty for his "ideal master.” Buck demonstrates his devotion for Thornton many times over, defending him in a bar fight, saving him from drowning, and winning a $1600 bet for him by pulling a sled loaded with one thousand pounds.

With the winnings, Thornton takes Buck deeper into the Klondike in search of a lost mine. While Thornton pans for gold, Buck, haunted by visions of a caveman and the wild's beckoning call , explores the forest. He runs with a timber wolf and hunts prey on his own, but returns to Thornton's campsite when he senses that a catastrophe has occurred.

Seeing the Yeehats dance over the ruins of the camp confirms Buck's suspicions that they have murdered Thornton. Driven by rage, he launches into an attack, killing the chief and overturning the law of club and fang . Buck answers the call when a wolf pack initiates him into their ranks. He runs with them, eventually becoming their leader and a legend.

"The Call of the Wild" Summary

By Jack London

classics | 164 pages | Published in 2008

Life is good for Buck in Santa Clara Valley, where he spends his days eating and sleeping in the golden sunshine. But one day a treacherous act of betrayal leads to his kidnap, and he is forced into a life of toil and danger. Dragged away to be a sledge dog in the harsh and freezing cold Yukon, Buck must fight for his survivial. Can he rise above his enemies and become the master of his realm once again? With an inspirational introduction by award-winning author Melvyn Burgess, The Call of the Wild is one of the twenty wonderful classic stories being reissued in Puffin Classics in March 2015.

Estimated read time: 5 min read

One Sentence Summary

A domesticated dog in the Yukon wilderness rediscovers its primal instincts and struggles for survival.

Table of Contents

Introduction, brief synopsis.

"The Call of the Wild" is a classic novel by Jack London, first published in 1903. The story is set during the Klondike Gold Rush and follows the journey of a domesticated dog named Buck as he is uprooted from his comfortable home in California and thrown into the harsh and unforgiving wilderness of the Yukon territory. Through his experiences, Buck must adapt to the brutal realities of survival and ultimately embrace his primal instincts to become a leader among the wild sled dogs. The novel is a timeless tale of adventure, resilience, and the enduring bond between humans and animals.

Plot Overview and Setting

"The Call of the Wild" is primarily set in the Yukon territory during the late 19th century. The story begins at a prosperous estate in California, where Buck, a powerful and well-loved St. Bernard-Scotch Collie mix, lives a comfortable life as the pet of Judge Miller. However, Buck's life takes a drastic turn when he is stolen and sold into the brutal world of the Klondike Gold Rush. He is soon introduced to the harsh reality of life as a sled dog, where he faces cruelty, violence, and the harsh elements of the Yukon.

Main Characters

Below are the main characters in "The Call of the Wild" along with brief descriptions of each:

Summary of Different Story Points over Chapters

Chapter 1-2: buck's life in california.

Buck lives a comfortable life as a pet on Judge Miller's estate in California.

Chapter 3-4: Stolen and Sold into the North

Buck is stolen and sold into the brutal world of the Klondike Gold Rush, where he is introduced to the harsh reality of life as a sled dog.

Chapter 5-6: Adaptation to the Wilderness

Buck learns to adapt to the harsh wilderness of the Yukon and grows stronger as he faces the challenges of his new life.

Chapter 7-8: The Sled Dog Life

Buck experiences the brutality and hierarchy of the sled dog world, including conflicts with the lead dog, Spitz.

Chapter 9-10: Bond with John Thornton

Buck forms a deep and meaningful bond with prospector John Thornton, who treats him with kindness and respect.

Chapter 11-12: Embracing Wild Instincts

Buck begins to embrace his primal instincts and becomes a leader among the wild sled dogs.

Chapter 13-14: The Call of the Wild

Buck hears the call of the wild and feels the pull of his ancestral roots, leading him to make a fateful decision.

Main Events

"The Call of the Wild" is filled with significant events that shape the course of Buck's journey, including his kidnapping, sale into the sled dog trade, adaptation to the harsh wilderness, conflicts with other dogs, and the formation of a deep bond with John Thornton. These events ultimately lead to Buck's transformation from a domesticated pet into a primal and dominant leader in the wild.

Themes and Insights

• Primal Instincts : The novel explores the theme of primal instincts and the innate drive for survival and dominance in the wilderness.
• Companionship : The enduring bond between humans and animals is a central theme, as seen through Buck's relationship with John Thornton.
• Adaptation and Resilience : The story highlights the resilience and adaptability of living creatures when faced with extreme challenges.

"The Call of the Wild" offers insights into the depths of the human-animal connection, the transformative power of nature, and the indomitable spirit of survival. It also serves as a reflection on the allure of the wild and the primal instincts that lie dormant within all living beings.

Reader's Takeaway

Readers of "The Call of the Wild" will be captivated by the gripping tale of Buck's transformation from a pampered pet to a fierce and untamed leader in the wild. The novel provides a powerful portrayal of the human-animal bond and offers profound insights into the instinctual nature of survival and the call of the wild.

"The Call of the Wild" is a timeless classic that continues to enthrall readers with its vivid portrayal of adventure, resilience, and the enduring bond between humans and animals. Jack London's masterful storytelling and insightful exploration of primal instincts make this novel a compelling and thought-provoking read for audiences of all ages.

The Call of the Wild FAQ

What is the genre of 'the call of the wild'.

The genre of 'The Call of the Wild' is adventure fiction.

When was 'The Call of the Wild' first published?

'The Call of the Wild' was first published in 1903.

Who is the author of 'The Call of the Wild'?

The author of 'The Call of the Wild' is Jack London.

What is the setting of 'The Call of the Wild'?

The setting of 'The Call of the Wild' is the Yukon during the 19th-century Klondike Gold Rush.

Is 'The Call of the Wild' suitable for children?

'The Call of the Wild' is generally considered suitable for older children and young adults due to its themes and content.

Books like The Call of the Wild

One Hundred Years of Solitude

By Gabriel García Márquez

Middlemarch

By George Eliot

Wuthering Heights

By Emily Brontë

Great Expectations

By Charles Dickens

Call of the Wild

By jack london, call of the wild study guide.

Jack London spent a single winter in the Canadian North during the Klondike Gold Rush of 1897-1898. When he returned, he claimed to have come upon a mythic wolf which inspired the character of Buck in The Call of the Wild . Whether or not London was speaking of a true encounter, his experiences with the Gold Rush provided the inspiration for a tale of resilience and exploration. Much of the story takes place in Alaska, traveling between Dawson and Skagway. The discovery of gold prompted a mass exodus to the Klondike, where gold was hypothetically free for the taking. The town of Dawson became the heart of the Gold Rush; for in 1886, Captain Moore, a citizen of Canada who had been prospecting for gold in the Canadian northwest, discovered a trail he called the "White Pass." This trail allowed for the transportation of supplies, correspondence, and men into the Alaskan interior, and it lead directly to Dawson.

In reality, the journey to the Klondike was a dangerous and expensive undertaking. Canadian law stated that gold-seekers could only enter the territory if they entered with a year's worth of provisions. This law was rigidly enforced by police patrols. Meanwhile, the journey to the Klondike by ship was so dangerous that many threw supplies overboard to lighten the load. Once the ships had landed, the journey grew no easier. Numerous memoirs and diaries remain from the men and women who toiled over the icy trail in that year. Their accounts of the journey between Skaguay and Dawson are the best source of what life was like on an expedition. Writings speak of rugged canyons, boldly ascending mountains, and projecting cliffs. London borrowed money from his sister to make the trip. On the one hand he was spurred on by poverty, for America was in the throes of the Great Depression. On the other hand, he sought adventure and inspiration. While London did not strike it rich in the Klondike, he found the inspiration he was seeking, and that impetus would lead to tremendous success and certain amount of fortune.

London would have had abundant experience with the sled-dogs that were the most popular choice for transporting people and supplies into the Klondike. The most common breeds were the huskies (and their cross-breeds from the river country), stocky and gray with short, erect ears and thick coat, intelligent and majestic, and the malamute, an Alaska Indian dog crossed with the wolf and resembling the wolf in shape and size. They were mostly brownish-gray, friendly and easily led. In the Gold Rush Arctic, the dog was of paramount importance. Men could not cover the great distances involved, much less carry their food and equipment, on foot. As yet there were no machines, not even railroads. Horses were bogged down by the snow and could not survive on fish, the most readily available food. London also would have known that many large dogs like Buck were stolen from the pacific northwest and sold as sled-dogs.

London was clearly influenced by several important philosophers and scientists during the writing of The Call of the Wild . Darwin's theory of Evolution, Herbert Spencer's ideas about the "survival of the fittest," and Nietzsche's "superman" theory play important roles in plot and characterization. The presence of these overarching ideas lends credence to those who argue that The Call of the Wild should be read as an allegory for human experience. London sold the Call of the Wild in 1903 for a flat fee of two thousand dollars. He received no royalties from the millions of copies that sold in America and overseas. But, the popularity of The Call of the Wild played an important role in London's continued success.

Call of the Wild Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Call of the Wild is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

why did mercedes agree to lighten their load before leaving for dawson?

The dogs simply could not pull her unnecessary luggage and the sled kept tipping over.

Buck fears the man in the red sweater mainly because of..?

Buck fears his club.

London calls Buck "a live hurricane of fury"; what figures of speech does he use here?

The above phrase is an example of metaphor.

Study Guide for Call of the Wild

Call of the Wild study guide contains a biography of Jack London, a complete e-text, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Call of the Wild
• Call of the Wild Summary
• Character List

Essays for Call of the Wild

Call of the Wild literature essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of Call of the Wild.

• The Biting of the Snow- Buck's Evolution Through Call of the Wild
• Fatherly Influence in Into the Wild

Lesson Plan for Call of the Wild

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Call of the Wild
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Call of the Wild Bibliography

E-Text of Call of the Wild

Call of the Wild E-Text contains the full text of Call of the Wild

• Chapter III

Wikipedia Entries for Call of the Wild

• Introduction
• Publication history

Book review: “The Call of the Wild” by Jack London

In November, 1902, Jack London wrote his non-fiction investigative book The People of the Abyss about the life of the poor of the East End of London. He’d spent seven weeks living there a few months earlier.

Of the city’s 6.2 million residents, one in 14 lived in grinding oppressive poverty. Or, as the writer put it:

“ At this very moment, 450,000 of these creatures are dying miserably at the bottom of the social pit called ‘London.’ ”

A month after writing The People of the Abyss , London was at work on the novel that made his name, The Call of the Wild . Both books were published in 1903.

A rejection of civilization?

To my mind, there is a direct connection between the two books, and it has to do with a little-discussed aspect of The Call of the Wild .

In his non-fiction book, London detailed the world that civilization made — a world in which nearly half a million “creatures” were left on a human trash heap, left to find their way for as long as they could struggle, left to a miserable life and an early death.

In his novel, London told the story of the un-taming of Buck — of his travels deeper and deeper into his primitive self until, in the end, he is joyously alive and full in his wildness.

In my reading, The Call of the Wild seems to be — subtly and, perhaps for London, subliminally — a rejection of a human civilization that permits the horridness of the lives of the city of London’s poor. The novel’s subtext appears to me to be that the life of Buck is a model for human beings — that health and joy and freedom can only be found in wildness.

A paean to freedom

As I suggest, this may have been subconscious for London. Even so, his visit to the East End may have primed him to create Buck’s story. On a conscious level, he may not have made the connection. But, it seems to me, it’s definitely there.

Another possibility is that, as a struggling writer, trying to keep body and soul together, he didn’t want to write a direct challenge to the status quo, and, for that reason, hid the subtext of his novel.

To write more clearly about the need for wildness would have been akin to promoting anarchy, advising the poor to rebel, preaching chaos in which those with the strongest bodies and wills — not the richest or best-connected — would triumph.

Either way, no reader of The Call of the Wild can see Buck’s evolution (or is it a devolution?) into a kind of wolf as anything but a good thing. The novel is a paean to the freedom of the wild, the freedom to howl at the moon and hunt with the pack, unrestrained.

“The decay of his moral nature”

The goodness of Buck’s transformation is signaled early when he watches another dog steal a piece of bacon from behind the human master’s back and then, “to survive in the hostile Northland environment,” cleverly thieves his own hunk of bacon, a transgression for which another dog is punished.

“This first theft marked…[Buck’s] adaptability, his capacity to adjust himself to changing conditions, the lack of which would have meant swift and terrible death. “It marked, further, the decay or going to pieces of his moral nature, a vain thing and a handicap in the ruthless struggle for existence. “It was all well enough in the Southland, under the law of love and fellowship, to respect private property and personal feelings; but in the Northland, under the law of club and fang, whoso took such things into account was a fool, and insofar as he observed them, he would fail to prosper.”

In the anarchy of the wilderness, Buck is learning that the only rule is to do whatever is necessary to survive.

And, while human society might think of itself as living under “the law of love and fellowship,” those “creatures” in the East End knew much better “the law of club and fang.”

By contrast, the three tenderfeet — middle-aged Charles, his wife Mercedes and her brother Hal —buy Buck and his worn-out team and then arrogantly expect Nature to adapt to the rules of civilization that they have lived all their lives.

Unlike the earlier men who served as the team’s masters, these three are sloppy, selfish and soft. And all three die with their dogs when their sled falls through the thin ice they’d been warned about — warnings they looked down on.

Buck survived because the woodsman John Thornton came to his defense just before the three went onto the ice.

Like Buck, Thornton was a man who lived a wild life and loved it. And loved Buck with a love that was reciprocated.

Despite the increasingly strong tugs of a pack of wild wolves on Buck, the dog remains with Thornton until, on one return to the camp, he finds the man dead, slain in an attack by a Native American tribe.

Interestingly, London depicts these Indians unusually for his time. They aren’t described as inhuman savages. Instead, they have a lot in common with the wolf pack toward which Buck is pulled.

They are wild, but that is good. The tribe and the pack share the same wilderness, the same dangers and the same rich life as an interconnected part of Nature.

Patrick T. Reardon

Written by : Patrick T. Reardon

For more than three decades Patrick T. Reardon was an urban affairs writer, a feature writer, a columnist, and an editor for the Chicago Tribune. In 2000 he was one of a team of 50 staff members who won a Pulitzer Prize for explanatory reporting. Now a freelance writer and poet, he has contributed chapters to several books and is the author of Faith Stripped to Its Essence. His website is https://patricktreardon.com/.

One Comment

good job guys you did really well :) :) :) :) :) :) :)

Leave A Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

© Copyright 2024 | Patrick T Reardon.Com | All Rights Reserved

Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Call of The Wild — A Report On The Book Call Of The Wild By Jack London

A Report on The Book Call of The Wild by Jack London

• Categories: Call of The Wild Jack London

About this sample

Words: 736 |

Published: May 14, 2021

Words: 736 | Page: 1 | 4 min read

Table of contents

Buck's domestic beginnings and drive for leadership, trials and transformations.

• London, J. (1903). The Call of the Wild. Macmillan.
• Armstrong, R. C. (2019). Dogs in Literature: Fictional Canines in Classic and Contemporary Works. McFarland.
• Smith, P. J. (2017). Jack London: An American Original. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
• Smith, L. H. (2018). Animal Imagery in Jack London's The Call of the Wild: A Naturalistic Approach. Studies in Literature and Language, 17(1), 76-87.
• May, C. (2020). Evolutionary Theory in Jack London's The Call of the Wild: A Study. International Journal of Applied Linguistics and English Literature, 9(1), 11-18.
• McHarris, P. A. (2019). The Influence of Darwinism in Jack London's The Call of the Wild. The Explicator, 77(3), 165-168.
• Johnson, M. K. (2016). Nature and Survival in Jack London's The Call of the Wild. The Hemingway Review, 35(2), 117-131.

Cite this Essay

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Verified writer

• Expert in: Literature

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

7 pages / 3276 words

2 pages / 887 words

3.5 pages / 1676 words

3.5 pages / 2123 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Call of The Wild

Call of the Wild is a story about a dog forcibly taken from his home and forced to adapt to his situation during the height of the Klondike Gold Rush in the Alaska Yukon region. While the story goes on to follow the main [...]

The Call of The Wild by Jack London is an adventurous novel about the story of a young St. Bernard named Buck who is stripped from his peaceful home as a domestic pet and turned into a stone-cold sled dog in the midst of the [...]

Anthropomorphism, the attribution of human characteristics to animals or non-human entities, has been a recurrent theme in literature, sparking intrigue and debate. Jack London's classic novel, "The Call of the Wild," provides a [...]

In the novel The Call of the Wild written by Jack London, Buck was stationed as a compelling leading character who undergoes multiple character developments throughout the novel due to nature and nurture. London’s approach of [...]

The title year of George Orwell's most famous novel is nineteen years past, but the dystopian vision it draws has retained its ability to grip readers with a haunting sense of foreboding about the future. At the heart of many of [...]

In the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, Orwell uses several literary techniques to develop the theme that totalitarianism is destructive. He does so by using extensive imagery, focusing on the deterioration of the Victory Mansions, [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Common Sense Media

Movie & TV reviews for parents

• For Parents
• For Educators
• Our Work and Impact

Or browse by category:

• Get the app
• Movie Reviews
• Best Movie Lists
• Best Movies on Netflix, Disney+, and More

Common Sense Selections for Movies

50 Modern Movies All Kids Should Watch Before They're 12

• Best TV Lists
• Best TV Shows on Netflix, Disney+, and More
• Common Sense Selections for TV
• Video Reviews of TV Shows

Best Kids' Shows on Disney+

Best Kids' TV Shows on Netflix

• Book Reviews
• Best Book Lists
• Common Sense Selections for Books

8 Tips for Getting Kids Hooked on Books

50 Books All Kids Should Read Before They're 12

• Game Reviews
• Best Game Lists

Common Sense Selections for Games

• Video Reviews of Games

Nintendo Switch Games for Family Fun

• Podcast Reviews
• Best Podcast Lists

Common Sense Selections for Podcasts

Parents' Guide to Podcasts

• App Reviews
• Best App Lists

Social Networking for Teens

Gun-Free Action Game Apps

Reviews for AI Apps and Tools

• YouTube Channel Reviews
• YouTube Kids Channels by Topic

Parents' Ultimate Guide to YouTube Kids

YouTube Kids Channels for Gamers

• Preschoolers (2-4)
• Little Kids (5-7)
• Big Kids (8-9)
• Pre-Teens (10-12)
• Teens (13+)
• Screen Time
• Social Media
• Online Safety
• Identity and Community

Explaining the News to Our Kids

• Family Tech Planners
• Digital Skills
• All Articles
• Latino Culture
• Black Voices
• Asian Stories
• Native Narratives
• LGBTQ+ Pride
• Best of Diverse Representation List

Celebrating Black History Month

Movies and TV Shows with Arab Leads

Celebrate Hip-Hop's 50th Anniversary

The call of the wild, common sense media reviewers.

Thrilling, violent tale of dog's survival in 1890s Alaska.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Offers a portrait of the Klondike Gold Rush of the

Dogs thrive when they can follow their powerful in

Buck's final owner, John Thornton, is rough but mo

Men and dogs are beaten and killed, and attack and

"Hell" is used several times. A biracial character

Men smoke pipes. Men also receive "invitations to

Parents need to know that Jack London's classic novel The Call of the Wild was originally published in 1903. It traces the journey of a dog named Buck from domestic family life to pulling sleds during the Klondike Gold Rush of the 1890s, and then heeding the pull of his natural instincts to return to the wild…

Educational Value

Offers a portrait of the Klondike Gold Rush of the 1890s, including details on how dogsled teams work, and the hardships experienced by the people and animals.

Positive Messages

Dogs thrive when they can follow their powerful instincts.

Positive Role Models

Buck's final owner, John Thornton, is rough but more decent and compassionate than any other humans in the story. His kindness and respect for Buck's nature engenders the dog's loyalty and love. One character is half-French Canadian and half-Native American, described in negative terms. At one point Native Americans attack, killing dogs and men. The only woman who figures in the story acts like a spoiled child, by turns overfeeding the dogs (which leads to insufficient food and starvation later) and overworking them.

Violence & Scariness

Men and dogs are beaten and killed, and attack and kill each other. Men beat dogs with clubs and whips. Dogs fight to the death and tear out the throats of men and other dogs. Lots of bloody details.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

"Hell" is used several times. A biracial character is referred to as a "half-breed."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Men smoke pipes. Men also receive "invitations to drink" alcohol, but drinking is not depicted.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Jack London's classic novel The Call of the Wild was originally published in 1903. It traces the journey of a dog named Buck from domestic family life to pulling sleds during the Klondike Gold Rush of the 1890s, and then heeding the pull of his natural instincts to return to the wild. This is a story of survival and includes a great deal of brutality that may be upsetting to animal lovers. Dogs are clubbed and whipped. Animals fight each other to the death, and tear out the throats of dogs and men. The book also has some bigoted and sexist portrayals of humans. At one stage in Buck's story, he's owned by two men who are described as "... a black-faced giant called Francois. Perrault was a French-Canadian, and swarthy; but Francois was a French-Canadian half-breed, and twice as swarthy." Native Americans commit a ruthless attack in the book as well, killing dogs and men. And the only woman who figures in the story acts like a spoiled child, by turns overfeeding the dogs (which leads to insufficient food and starvation later) and overworking them. Ultimately, however, this is a story about the power of a dog's natural instincts, and the dignity that animals deserve. The book has been adapted for film, most recently in the 2020 movie starring Harrison Ford .

Where to Read

Community reviews.

• Parents say (16)
• Kids say (63)

Based on 16 parent reviews

Makes Abusing Animals Seem Normal

What's the story.

In Jack London's THE CALL OF THE WILD, family dog Buck is kidnapped and transported to the Yukon in Canada to be a sled dog during the Klondike Gold Rush. At first Buck tries to fight back, but he's soon beaten into submission. As he passes through a succession of owners, he finds that ancient instincts from his wolf ancestors are awakening within him, helping him survive in the brutal wilderness of the North. Buck becomes a leader and a formidable hunter who's attuned to his senses and the wilderness around him.

Is It Any Good?

Jack London's muscular and poetic novel is a thrilling adventure story that explores the relationship of dogs with humans, and dogs with the natural world. As Buck increasingly heeds the instincts of his wolf ancestors, he becomes both more alive and more truly himself. However, not every dog in the story has the power to survive in the wild, and many of the humans are ill-suited for the harsh conditions they face. By exploring the brutality of an untamed environment through the eyes of a dog, London reveals much about human and animal behavior. The Call of the Wild may not be well-suited for sensitive young animal lovers, but it's a powerful story that makes readers think.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about how attitudes toward animals have changed in the century since The Call of the Wild was written. How are animals treated in the book? How would this book be received if it were written today?

How do you feel about the way Native Americans are portrayed in this novel?

This book is written with a third-person narrator, but from Buck's point of view. Why do you think Jack London used the dog's perspective? How did this help the author tell the story?

Book Details

• Author : Jack London
• Genre : Animals
• Topics : Adventures , Cats, Dogs, and Mice , Wild Animals
• Book type : Fiction
• Publisher : Larousse Kingfisher Chambers Inc.
• Publication date : January 1, 1903
• Number of pages : 208
• Last updated : January 15, 2019

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

Our editors recommend.

The Dogs of Winter

No Better Friend: Young Readers Edition: A Man, a Dog, and Their Incredible True Story of Friendship and Survival in World War II

A Wolf Called Wander

Black Beauty

The Incredible Journey

Children's Books About Animals

Best animal movies for kids, related topics.

• Cats, Dogs, and Mice
• Wild Animals

Want suggestions based on your streaming services? Get personalized recommendations

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

Sample details

• Literature,
• Cinematography
• Book Report,

Call of The Wild

Related Topics

• Blade Runner
• Rabbit Proof Fence
• Movie Review
• Documentary
• The Truman Show
• The Awakening
• The Blind Side
• Between The World and Me
• Slumdog Millionaire
• The Stranger
• The Hate U Give
• Night By Elie Wiesel
• Once Upon a Time
• The Graduate
• Book Review
• Movie Analysis

Book Report: Call of the Wild

The call of the wild author jack london setting.

Buck enjoys a good life in Santa Clara Valley, where he can fully experience the golden sunshine by eating and sleeping throughout the days and nights.

Characters:

The main dogs.

• Buck –a proud and powerful dog, half St Bernard and half shepherd dog, who begins life on a comfortable Californian estate as a family pet, yet soon changes when he is stolen and sold to work as a sled dog in the frozen North.
• Spitz – Buck’s archrival and original leader of Francois’ dog team. A fierce, treacherous, husky, Spitz is used to fighting with other dogs and winning.
• Dave – a hardworking dog who runs behind Buck in the team and ‘teaches’ Buck by nipping him to correct his mistake. Dave is a gritty, determined dog who prefers to keep himself to himself.
• Sol-leks – an older, more experienced dog with only one eye, who lives only to pull the sled.
• Curly – Buck’s friend, Curly is a friendly but naive Newfoundland, who is killed by Spitz.
• Billie – a good-natured husky, half-brother to Joe.
• Joe – opposite in nature to Billee, Joe is sour and unfriendly, with a perpetual snarl.
• Dolly – suddenly goes mad on the trail and attacks the other dogs. Pike-a sly, clever dog, who shows Buck how to steal.
• Dub – often made a scapegoat, since, whenever anything goes wrong, Dub gets the blame.

The Main People

• Judge Miller –Buck’s original master, the owner of a large estate in California’s Santa Clara Valley.
• Manuel – a gardener’s helper on Judge Miller’s estate. Manuel steals Buck and sells him in order to pay off his gambling debts.
• Mercades and Charles – husband and wife. They are inexperienced in the ways of dog sledding.
• Hal – Mercedes’ arrogant brother who badly mistreats dogs.
• John Thornton- Buck’s final master who is strict in discipline.
• Francois – a French Canadian mail driver who buys Buck and adds him to the team.
• Perrault – a French Canadian turns Buck into a sled dog.

Buck resides in the Santa Clara Valley, where he spends his time eating and sleeping during his simple days and nights. He finds great joy in this life, mainly due to the presence of his dear friend, Curly. However, Buck harbors immense hatred towards Spitz, the wicked dog responsible for Curly’s demise. Despite his inner turmoil, Buck strives to push past this obstacle and move forward.

ready to help you now

Without paying upfront

However, one fateful day, a traitorous act leads to his abduction, thrusting him into a world of peril and adventure. Buck tirelessly battles for his existence, yearning to return to a life of tranquility instead of danger. He harbors a glimmer of hope that he will conquer this ordeal and live to see another peaceful day.

Eventually, Buck manages to escape his captor and returns to his familiar surroundings, where he encounters a tourist. In an unexpected display of affection, similar to how Buck embraced this person, the dog opens his heart and readily embraces the opportunity for companionship. He forms a deep bond with this individual, erasing the feeling of loneliness that once consumed him. Buck affectionately cuddles this person and experiences an overwhelming sense of joy.

Through this story, I learned that.

“When a Trouble Comes a Better Life Waits.”

I believe that this story accurately portrays the idea that the worst things happen right before a better life comes. This is evident in Buck’s life, as he faced numerous challenges but ultimately managed to overcome them and find a happier existence.

I appreciate this story for its valuable teachings that we can both embrace and avoid. I particularly admire Buck’s relentless determination to survive. As someone young, I encourage you to extract the positive lessons from this narrative and avoid replicating the negative actions demonstrated by Spitz towards Curly.

Cite this page

https://graduateway.com/book-report-call-of-the-wild/

You can get a custom paper by one of our expert writers

• The Outsiders
• Remember The Titans
• My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Check more samples on your topics

Call centers – “call now, operators are standing by”.

Outsourcing

When you see a commercial with an announcer stating, “Call now, operators are standing by,” your call is being answered by a call center. Call centers are locations that can perform a variety of tasks for a business. According to Wikipedia.com, A call centre or call center is a centralised office used for the purpose

“Survival of the Fittest” – Call of the Wild

Good and Evil

The book The Call of the Wild is mainly about a dog named Buck that experiences many changes while trying his best to survive in the Yukon. Buck was living a very privileged life before he was taken. He was a pretty dog that had a lot of things. For intense, a huge house that

The Call of the Wild: A Synopsis

Jack London’s The Call of the Wild delves into the bond between man and dog as they confront the harsh wilderness. The narrative centers around Buck, the dog, and offers a distinctive perspective on the man-dog dynamic from the animal's point of view. Throughout the novel, Buck experiences various owners, but only feels affection

Bucks Adventures in The Call of the Wild by John Thornton

From pet to wild beast, we witness the captivating journey of Buck in John Thornton's novel, The Call of the Wild. Buck, a dog, undergoes various challenges such as encountering men armed with clubs, enduring wintry landscapes, and being thrust into a merciless world of survival. Yet, it is in this wild environment where Buck

An Analysis of Literary Elements in The Call of the Wild, a Novel by Jack London

The protagonist of the novel, Buck, is a mixed breed dog weighing 140 pounds, with Scottish shepherd and Saint Bernard ancestry. Previously leading a comfortable life as a pampered pet in California under the control of Judge Miller, just like his father, he transforms into a savage creature due to his new surroundings. During the Canadian

Excitement of the Gold Rush in Call of the Wild by Jack London

Call of the Wild Buck is a crossbread dog who has the build of a wolf. He is very strong and has been brought up in the sun-kist Santa Clara Valley. He has been abducted and shipped off to be trained as a husky. Buck was profoundly affected by his experiences in the Yukon. Bucks

Character Analysis of Buck in Call of the Wild, a Novel by Jack London

What if you were torn away from, you home, your family, and everything that was ever familiar? Would you adapt, or be utterly enveloped in chaos? In the superb novel Call of the Wild by Jack London teaches us, his readers, that anyone or thing can be taken from his surroundings and hurled into a

The Effects of Group Influence in Lord of the Flies by William Golding and Call of the Wild by Jack London

History has shown, that the right influence can make anyone do anything. Hitler was a powerful man, who was able to influence the citizens of a whole nation to turn against a single group. Before this movement, jews were a very large and successful group in Germany, and it's just mind blowing to see all

Is Jack London a Nature Faker for Writing The Call of the Wild?

Have you ever heard of nature fakers? If not, they are authors who give animals from the wild human characteristics and personify them. In Jack London's novel, The Call of the Wild, he tells the story of Buck, an incredibly tough and confident dog who thrives in nature. Despite accusations of being a nature faker

Hi, my name is Amy 👋

In case you can't find a relevant example, our professional writers are ready to help you write a unique paper. Just talk to our smart assistant Amy and she'll connect you with the best match.

Historical Context

The call of the wild, by jack london.

'The Call of the Wild' is an American classic. Published in 1903, the novel tells the story of a domestic dog who was forced into labor as a sled dog and eventually gives in to the “call of the wild.” 

Article written by Emma Baldwin

B.A. in English, B.F.A. in Fine Art, and B.A. in Art Histories from East Carolina University.

The book is considered London’s best-known and most often studied. It, along with ‘ White Fang ,’ was inspired by a year London spent in the Yukon chasing gold and thousands of others. 

Publication History 

In 1903, Jack London sold the publication rights for his novel ‘ The Call of the Wild ‘ to MacMillan. Since the novel has been translated into dozens of languages and sold worldwide, since its initial publication in 1903, the novel has never been out of print.

The Klondike Gold Rush

The Klondike Gold Rush was a period in the late 1800s, approximately from 1886 to 1899, during which thousands traveled to the Canadian Klondike in search of gold. After gold was discovered there in 1868, men from around the country, the United States, and abroad, traveled to this northern Canadian region (just east of what would later be Alaska) in the hope of making their fortune. 

The region was incredibly dangerous, freezing, and consistently snow-covered. Around 100,000 people, known as prospectors, traveled to Canada. They traveled through Dyea and Skagway in Southeast Alaska and followed one of two different passes, the Chilkoot or White Pass, to the Yukon River. There, they sailed to the Klondike. 

Each team included a pack of sled dogs responsible for pulling all the supplies (which included a year’s worth of food). The loads were incredibly heavy and often required multiple trips. Some took years of trips to bring all of their supplies to their intended destinations. 

Along the route, towns like Dawson City sprung up to accommodate the prospectors, and indigenous populations were negatively affected. Groups like the Hän were moved off their territory to make room for the prospectors. 

Gold mining in the Klondike peaked in 1903 after the introduction of heavy machinery. Around the same time, interest and traveling to the Klondike declined, and the population of Dawson City, which reached 30,000 people at the height of the Gold Rush, fell.

Those who traveled to the Klondike were subject to starvation and disease. People died from scurvy, meningitis, typhoid, and the cold, as well as from physical violence (the latter was the second most common cause of death). 

During this time, scholars believe that around 120,000 Native people died from diseases and violence brought into the region by prospectors and others seeking to benefit from the Gold Rush. 

Jack London and the Gold Rush 

Jack London was among those who traveled to the Klondike in search of his fortune. He joined the groups headed North in 1897 and traveled up the Chilkoot Trail. While there, he submitted stories to various magazines, many of which were later included in short story collections. 

It’s believed that London never fully recovered from his year in Canada. Upon the occasion of his death, he was suffering from morphine addiction, kidney failure, alcoholism, and still feeling the lasting effect of diseases he was exposed to in the Klondike (including scurvy). 

While he did not find his fortune there, he did find inspiration for his novels. His time in the Klondike, including the suffering he endured, the violence he saw, his experiences with sled dogs, and more, all inspired the plot of ‘ The Call of the Wild .’

The Call of the Wild and Charles Darwin 

London considered Charles Darwin and his theories on evolution another major source of inspiration for his novel ‘ The Call of the Wild .’ During the time that London was writing ‘ The Call of the Wild ,’ Darwin’s theories dominated the scientific world, and London utilized many of them in his plot.

Survival is one of the primary themes of the novel and something that Buck, the main character , learns a great deal about. Unaccustomed to having to fight for his food or his life more generally, Buck is thrust into a world where he has to maintain his dominance on the daily basis. 

His first introduction to the violence of the North and the idea of the “survival of the fittest” came after the ship carrying the stolen would-be sled dogs to Canada. Along the way, he befriended a female Newfoundland, Curly, and after getting off the ship, watched her murdered by a group of violent huskies (which included Spitz, one of the main antagonists of the novel). 

From this encounter, he learned that kindness and compassion, while positive character traits in Santa Clara Valley, California, will get one killed in the north. He vowed never to show weakness or meet a similar, pointless death. 

Why is the setting important in The Call of the Wild ?

The setting is one of the most important parts of the novel. The fight for survival that Buck endures is at the heart of ‘ The Call of the Wild .’ The harsh north, including the ice, snow, frozen rivers, and lack of food and shelter, are all elements that influence his experience. 

Is The Call of the Wild a true story?

No, ‘ The Call of the Wild ‘ is not a true story, but it is partially based on London’s experience in the Yukon as a twenty-one-year-old man. He traveled there in search of his fortune during the Klondike Gold Rush and returned empty-handed after a year of suffering. 

Why didn’t Buck save Curly?

In the novel, Buck seeds his new friend Curly murdered by a group of violent huskies. Unfortunately, Buck did not get a chance to save or defend his new friend because there were too many wild dogs around them. He had no chance against dogs who were already well-accustomed to the “kill or be killed” nature of sled dog life.

Why was The Call of the Wild banned in Italy in 1929?

The novel was banned in several countries, including Italy and Yugoslavia, because of Jack London’s socialist views. The book was famously burned during World War II by the Nazis as well. 

Why is The Call of the Wild controversial?

The main reason that ‘ The Call of the Wild ‘ is controversial today is not due to the author’s views but because of the elements of animal abuse and death that are scattered throughout the novel. 

Join Our Community for Free!

Exclusive to Members

Create Your Personal Profile

Engage in Forums

Join or Create Groups

Save your favorites, beta access.

About Emma Baldwin

Emma Baldwin, a graduate of East Carolina University, has a deep-rooted passion for literature. She serves as a key contributor to the Book Analysis team with years of experience.

About the Book

Discover literature and connect with others just like yourself!

Start the Conversation. Join the Chat.

There was a problem reporting this post.

Block Member?

Please confirm you want to block this member.

You will no longer be able to:

• See blocked member's posts
• Mention this member in posts
• Invite this member to groups

Please allow a few minutes for this process to complete.

Watch CBS News

Sen. John Fetterman says Pennsylvania will be "competitive" in 2024 race